Volga
Population: 16,905,000. Biggest city: Samara (1,255,000)
Flying time from Moscow to Samara: 1 hour.
Time difference from Moscow: +1 hour.
Urban population: 73%. Rural population: 27%.
Area: 536,400 square km (same as France). Density: 31 persons / sq. km.
Climate zones: Ranging from dry steppes and semi-deserts in the south
to mixed and coniferous forests in the north.
Socio-economic indicators (1999 Duma Vote)
Popular approval of economic change is well above average in this region, both in terms of the rating of the national economy and the expectation of improvements in their own lives and in the household economy. People are also more likely than the average to have consumer goods. Life expectancy for men and women is also just above the national average.
However, reported
GDP per capita is below the national average, and the regional wage levels
are one-sixth below the national average. However, the likelihood of not
being paid regularly is also below the national average. The discrepancies
between these data and positive optimism of individuals can be influenced
by the fact that in the Volga region those reporting having a second job
are also above the national average.
Administrative divisions
Tatarstan Republic (Pop. 3,763,200) Capital: Kazan (1,095,000) |
Penza Oblast (Pop.
1,554,700) Capital: Penza (552,000) |
Samara Oblast (Pop.
3,308,500) Capital: Samara (1,255,000) |
Ulyanovsk Oblast (Pop.
1,490,000) Capital: Ulyanovsk (691,000) |
Saratov Oblast (Pop.
2,725,800) Capital: Saratov (905,000) |
Astrakhan Oblast(Pop.
1,029,300) Capital: Astrakhan (512,000) |
Volgograd Oblast (Pop. 2,701,600) Capital: Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) (1,028,000) |
Kalmyk Republic (Pop.
316,700) Capital: Elista (95,000) |